Honestly, when my daffodils begin to peek through the cold hard ground and then within days it seems they begin to bloom, I can almost taste spring! It is now right around the corner. We have more winter behind us than we have in front of us and I, for one, am glad.
I crave green leaves and warm sunshine all winter long and it is coming soon! Spring means renewal, hope, joy and new beginnings. What project have you planned for this spring? I want to get my porch ready for ‘sittin’. Clean out my flower beds and pots and ready them for plants in April. There is always something that could use a fresh coat of paint or sprucing up and then there are the multiple Pinterest boards full of ideas I’ve pinned. You know, little projects... nothing big. Or at least that’s the story I am telling my husband.
This issue looks at the places we lay our heads. The four walls we call home that we share with those we love. The spaces we gather in to eat, share laughter and relax. If you have one, thank God for it, sadly there are too many who don’t.
We are happy to share this issue with you and we know you’ll enjoy the beautiful homes featured in this issue. Relish in the stories, recipes, adventures and community information you’ll find in our pages this month. Events that you’ll want to add to your calendar are the Downtown Clayton Block Party & Cruise-In on Main Street (March 15th 4-7 PM). The Mountain Ivy Garden Club’s Prelude to Spring Gardening Symposium (March 19th) and Sunshine & Sawdust Creative Studio & Market’s Open House (March 29th 1-5 PM).
Slow down and don’t miss the mountains coming alive with the promise of spring.
XO - Tracy
MARCH 2025 | VOLUME TWENTY-TWO | ISSUE THREE
Writers & Contributors: John Shivers, Peter McIntosh, Dawn Kluver, Tori Carver, Foxfire , Dr. Keith Jackson, Rev. John Hutcheson, Sr., Lorie Thompson, Emory Jones
Contents
Dawn Kluver
Finding Home
I’m one of those infamous halfbacks. You know… people who were born in the North, moved to Florida, and then landed on this mountainous spine in the center of everything.
My husband, Jon, and I have stepped in cautiously, though– hesitant to ruffle native mountain folk who’ve been invaded by a massive influx of people over the past decade or so. We want to assimilate. In fact, I wish I’d been born and raised here…that my roots were planted by the farmers and school teachers and parents and pastors of these hills. I long for a sense of belonging that whispers of permanence.
But we’ve only been here for one year. And our first 8 months were spent in a less-than-permanent fifth wheel while we built our simple, 1100-square-foot barndominium. And I mean that in the most literal way: The two of us designed it, framed it, sided it– wired, plumbed, floored, and painted every inch of it–by ourselves.
Technically, this was the first home we’ve built from the ground up. But, over the past 20 years, Jon and I have purchased and remodeled 12 homes of our own– and countless homes for clients. Our first purchase as a couple was a 200-year-old farmhouse in Wisconsin literally screaming for rehabilitation. Not only did we adjust its old bones and bring the beauty back, but we also built a dementia care facility on our 25-acre property for residents who would benefit from a more intimate, home-like setting than institutional nursing homes offered.
A decade later, family responsibility (and my need to back away from the stress of navigating long term care regulations) called us from the Midwest to Florida. We navigated first one beach-town flip… then another: a beautiful but run-down property on the intercoastal. This one offered a home for us, a guest cottage, and a spot for another guest suite. All three spaces needed serious remodeling, but a year later–with one more rental house added in–we had a booming Airbnb business.
Hurricane Irma hit hard in 2017– and every storm after that rattled more than just our windows! In 2019, after helping friends move to Whittier, North Carolina, we put Florida in our rear view mirror and moved to Sylva with our daughter, son-in-law, and two grandkids in our wake. Entrepreneurs that we are, we started a restaurant on Main Street. We were immediately successful, even through the crazy shut downs of 2020. But then– reminiscent of our first move to Florida– family needs pressed in. Wisdom called for a return to the Gulf Coast, but Jon and I were both heartbroken to leave the mountains.
Faced with a fiery hot market in Florida, we made and lost several bids, snapped up the first house we could, flipped it within the year and bought one that was more suited to our needs.
And then another hurricane rolled in and decimated our community. We spent two miserable years digging ourselves out from Ian’s ravages. The aftershock of property tax and insurance increases prompted discussion about a return to the mountains. Florida (both times) had been necessary. But it was never home.
The decision was quick. Sight unseen, with full confidence in our North Carolina realtor friend, we bought our 5 acres in Otto, sold the
Florida house, and made our second journey north last February.
When I got out of car that first day and looked across at the mountains just beginning their slow fade to evening’s pink, I sobbed. The angst of over 20 years of feverish remodeling, working, helping, building, selling and moving drained away.
As we began to design, then finalize permits, and commence our build, something even more significant happened. The belonging– the need for home that I’d longed for–began to warm the edges of my psyche. I’m a student of the biblical Heaven and well aware that ‘Im just a passin’ through.’ But was it possible that God had created – and even blessed– my need to create ‘home’ here and now? To finally put down roots?
We rarely left our little valley as we labored through summer and fall. We watched the sun burn the blue mist off the mountains as we hammered– and dodged the rain as we carried board after board to the foundation. We sat in the growing skeleton of trusses with mugs of coffee in the morning and sipped wine and watched the shadows fall at night. We chatted with our mountain-born-neighbors-turnedfriends who stopped by to pray and encourage us each step along the way. We were becoming…something. But what? Something different. And settled.
My goal was to be in the house by Christmas, so I could put up a tree and unpack all the holiday heirlooms that had been boxed for the last four years of flipping houses. We made it with a week to spare– 8 months, to the day, from the issuing of our permit! Then, on December 25, our kids, grandkids, my sister, and our nephew arrived. It was, bar none, the busiest, and most joyous Christmas we’ve ever had.
Until this year, whenever anyone asked me where I was from, I struggled to answer succinctly. The question, of course, demanded I name a place. Where is home? Originally…or in my adult years? There have been many. And none.
But that’s all changed.
“I’m from Otto,” I answered just yesterday when a woman waiting in line with me at Reeves Hardware in Dillard asked.
Inwardly I smiled at the irony. The week we moved to “Otto,” it was a Reeves manager who corrected my pronunciation: “If you don’t want to be labeled as an outsider, you need to say AHT-TOE. Not AWEDOE.”
It took me a while to say it correctly– but now it’s second nature. I guess that means I’ve finally arrived.
SSunshine & Sawdust Open
House Planned for March 29th 1-5 PM
unshine & Sawdust Creative Studio & Market is looking forward to hosting an Open House celebration on Saturday, March 29th, from 1 to 5 PM. Cindi Freeman, Tracy McCoy, and D’Anna Coleman invite you to join them as they unveil the newly expanded market space and refreshed studio. This is a great opportunity to explore their spring projects and take the next step by signing up for some of their upcoming classes. You’ll also discover S&S’s exciting new art kits and the variety of offerings available in the NEW market. Plus, if you’re considering hosting a party and secure a date during the event, you’ll benefit from special pricing.
As spring approaches, it’s a wonderful time to infuse a little more positivity into your life. At Sunshine & Sawdust, these ladies are dedicated to inspiring and uplifting the community by helping you tap into your creativity. “We are excited for everyone to see the positive changes and new projects we have prepared,” said Cindi. “Tracy, D’Anna, and I are committed to sharing what we love and hope to bring joy to all who visit us!”
We encourage you to mark your calendars and visit Sunshine & Sawdust Creative Studio & Market at 2511 Highway 441 North, Clayton, Georgia. Be on the lookout for a new website coming soon, and for the latest updates on classes, follow the business on Facebook and Instagram. For any inquiries, feel free to call 706-982-0216 or 706-982-9197. They look forward to seeing you and sharing an inspiring day with you!
Dance to the Jukebox in a Lake burton castLe
“Just look for the lighthouse,” you’ll say to your guests who are arriving at 38 Sourwood Trail on Lake Burton. Whether by land or by lake, when they spot this most distinctive GPS device, they’ll know they’re in the right place. And what a right place it is! From first glance, this 6,641± square foot, tri-level estate exudes an old-world, European charm that’s only reinforced the more you see. From the stoneclad exterior that lends a castle-like elegance to the entire 0.93± acre lakeside setting, to the many unique architectural elements incorporated within this truly remarkable home, you’ll understand: Not even the smallest detail has been omitted.
From the detailed execution of the stair railings to the authentic hardwood floors to the many decorative and creative uses of molding and trim work, everything conveys beauty, graciousness, and comfort.
Imagine being able to sleep 23 folks scattered among the five palatial bedrooms, some of which include wet bars and fireplaces. Between the private bedrooms and the deluxe bunk rooms, the sleeping capacity is boosted while the oldworld charm continues even into these communal spaces. Six spacious bathrooms, some with more than one shower stall, stand at the ready to serve all your guests.
From the spacious yet cozy, comfortable great room with a massive stone fireplace and second-floor overlook, to the adjacent dining areas with seating for all those guests, to the massive kitchen with top-of-the-line professional appliances, including your own personal jukebox, this home is turnkey ready to occupy. A spacious home study makes it possible to enjoy lake life and still keep up with the office, and for the resident artist, the expansive second-floor studio overlooking the views offers the perfect place to create.
Many large and spacious windows marry the indoors and outdoors, and both covered and open porches offer abundant waterside entertainment abound in this protected cove with sweeping lake and mountain views. A spacious two-car carport near the front door, a gated entry and paved access all add to the package. A third-floor bonus space is currently being used as a home gym. The terrace level is equipped with a family room featuring a fireplace, billiards, a wet bar and access to a sprawling lakeside patio with built-in 10-foot round Jacuzzi pool, oversized fire-pit, grilling pavilion and sport court. A two-stall, two-level covered boathouse completes the outdoor picture.
The architectural elements of this Control4 Smart Home are numerous, unique, and in some places, downright whimsical. In addition, many behind-the-scenes technological aspects, as well as a pre-stubbed elevator, make this designer showplace a dream destination for entertaining.
Agent Julie Barnett with Harry Norman REALTORS® Luxury Lake and Mountain is waiting to meet you at the lighthouse to tour MLS #10451826. Reach her at 404-697-3860, or at the Harry Norman office, 706-212-0228.
“Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends.”
- Anonymous
Home of Your Dreams:
Check Out the Treehouse
John Shivers
From the top floor to the bottom, the home at 689 Waterfall Drive east of Clayton off Highway 76 abounds with perks and embellishments that are a buyer’s dream. And when that home is located in a prestigious, highly-sought-after Waterfall at Lake Burton neighborhood, the dream gets only sweeter. Take command of one of the Adirondack chairs on the rear porch and feast your eyes down the greens, toward the mountain vistas in the distance. Or retreat indoors to the great room, where soaring heights and an oversized eyebrow window further enhance the sensation of being on top of the world.
With a total of six bedrooms spread over 5,348± square feet on three levels, this seven bathroom home built in 2006 offers a harmonious blend of sophistication and comfort, perfectly positioning you to bask in the breathtaking beauty of Lake Burton and the North Georgia mountains year-round.
Privately situated between Waterfall Club’s Hole #1 and #18 on a .54± acre lot, this property delivers a tremendous amount of living against a backdrop of sophistication, blended nicely with comfort and style. If first impressions count for anything, the degree of curb appeal this home exhibits is bar-none. From the stone, wooden shakes and stucco exterior to the tall and welcoming front entrance, the attention given to detail is phenomenal. With its color palette of earthtones and judicious accessorizing, this home is a triumph of interior design. No detail was left to chance.
From your first step into this home, your eyes can’t quickly adjust to all there is to see. Light is everywhere, and from the stunning open foyer you glimpse the spacious great room, anchored by a stone fireplace, which flows seamlessly into the adjacent gourmet kitchen. Featuring a large breakfast island and an adjacent breakfast area overlooking the view, this kitchen was designed with the serious cook in mind. Stainless appliances, custom cabinetry topped with granite, and easy accessibility to the dining porch and the first of two outdoor fireplaces are all hallmarks that set this home apart.
While the main level owners’ sanctuary includes an ensuite bath with separate shower and free-standing tub, double vanities and water closet, each of the home’s bedrooms offers the luxury and privacy of an en-suite bath and more of those breathtaking views. A main level en-suite bonus room offers several options for use, and the upstairs “treehouse,” accessible by its own private staircase, offers the ultimate in privacy and relaxation. You simply must see the treehouse!
You’ll descend to the daylight terrace level on a wide, curving staircase from the main floor. There you’ll find a second living area with a fireplace, a large wet bar, room for a pool / ping pong table, and a wine cellar. Another en-suite bedroom with a private outdoor fireplace, a second en-suite bedroom with large bay windows to accommodate the view, and a walkout bunk room that sleeps six or more are also on this level. An elevator tops the list of unexpected, elegant amenities.
Waterfall Club, residents enjoy championship golf, indoor and outdoor tennis, pickleball, state-of-the-art fitness facilities, three restaurants, pontoon rental and a swimming dock on Lake Burton. This home has a transferrable Waterfall membership simply by paying a transfer fee. Are you ready to live life against the backdrop that is the exceptional Waterfall at Burton? Waterfall at Lake Burton is only 15 minutes from the many award-winning dining and shopping opportunities in downtown Clayton. Realtors®/Luxury Collection Specialists Andrea Sorgeloos and Evelyn Heald, with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Georgia Properties, are excited to show this property, MLS #10448346. Andrea’s cell is 404-729-9223 and Evelyn’s is 404-372-5698. The agency has offices at 37 S. Main Street in Clayton, GA.
Fall Under the Spell; Come Lose Yourself!
John Shivers
Nestled in a heavily forested cove outside Dillard in northern Rabun County lies a 10.45± acre piece of paradise, anchored by a 1922-era restored cottage. A number of outbuildings and some of the most pristine views and exclusive sense of privacy you could ever hope to own, are part of the package.
Located at 208 Colony Road, this truly one-of-a-kind property harkens back to the cozy, comfortable cottages that once dotted the Rabun County landscape. Cottages that have largely disappeared, so if you find your heartstrings being tugged as you tour this board and batten sided house with two basement areas that include a drive-under garage, pay attention! You’ve just fallen under the spell this property delivers.
In addition to the house itself, this retreat property includes a spacious, detached “screened house” for cooking out and entertaining. There’s also a recently built workshop with two side sheds, a small storage building, and a hobby building with a screened porch; all of these attractively situated against areas of mature, established landscaping, picturesque stone walls, steps and patios. The pristine mountain views and shaded, wooded areas fairly scream, “Come lose yourself in me!”
The house itself is an excellent hybrid of yesterday and today. From it’s exterior with stone enhancements and many windows, you can’t wait to discover what’s inside -- still more of the same charm and cozy comfort! The sense of country elegance this home delivers and the blend of original wood surfaces, the enclosed sun porch, and spacious adjacent living area give room for family or friends.
This home includes several dining options, including a formal dining room with space to seat twelve people, a casual dining area, and a breakfast bar in the spacious kitchen that totally checks the box when it comes to cabinet storage space. There’s generous prep/work space, backed up by stainless high-end appliances, including a professional caliber gas range. Both the dining room and the kitchen have built-in corner cabinets, just two of the many interesting architectural details found throughout.
The home’s wood-burning fireplace in the living room has warmed many a frigid Rabun winter night, and is waiting to offer the authentic heat of its fires to the new owners. Contributing to the overall comfort of this living room is the large bay window seating area, and the six windows that usher in the natural light.
Two bedrooms large enough to accommodate king size beds and two bathrooms complete the inventory in this home that perfectly defines family and comfort. One of the bathrooms features a SafeStep Walk-in Tub, while the other bath has a large shower.
This home’s interior is a wood-lover’s dream, since many of the floors, the beaded board walls, and even the ceiling of the dining room are the original surfaces that have been lovingly protected and preserved. This interesting palette of woods and tones only serves to reinforce the home’s inherent charm of yesteryear, and to remind you that this house has been a family home for many years. And if you need a little quiet time, the recently enclosed sun porch with twelve windows offers a different opportunity to relax and recharge. There’s not a place on this entire property, indoors or out, that doesn’t deliver a sense of soul restoration.
You simply must see this charming and tranquil retreat to fully appreciate its many attributes. Showings are available by appointment. Scott Poss, Broker at Poss Realty, is ready to introduce you to this fantastic property. MLS #10339692. Contact him by cell phone at 706-490-2305 or at the office at 706-782-2121.
Service Directory
Calhoun Irrigation & Landscaping Moves to the Mountains
Family-owned businesses hold a special place in our hearts as they form the backbone of this country. I recently had the pleasure of meeting David Calhoun, the owner of Calhoun Irrigation & Landscaping, a company renowned for its commitment to quality work and exceptional customer service. David established his business in his hometown of Americus, Georgia, where Calhoun Irrigation & Landscaping has earned a stellar reputation over the years.
After 25+ successful years as a Georgia-based company, the Calhoun family is excited to announce an expansion into Rabun County. They are eager to provide both residential and commercial customers in the mountains with the same high standards they are celebrated for. David and his son Wright are looking forward to building relationships with new clients, offering their expertise in design, installation, and maintenance for various irrigation and landscaping projects.
With decades of combined experience and a wealth of knowledge in the industry, Calhoun Irrigation & Landscaping is the smart choice for your needs. If you haven’t yet heard about this family-run business, you soon will! Their services range from planting and weed control to maintenance, garden creation, water features and outdoor lighting. They also specialize in irrigation systems, grading, and drainage solutions, all integral parts of the Calhoun offerings. Now that the Calhoun family has chosen to make the mountains their home, they are bringing their exceptional services along with them. For additional information or to set up a consultation, please call 229-939-3440 or 229-938-9699.
Dawn Kluver
SLife is Better On The Porch
omething magical happens when you pull off the highway and meander onto Main Street, USA. You know the one? It’s lined with those quaint, porch-fronted Cape Cod, Victorian or mission-styled homes. There’s history all wrapped up in nostalgia: rocking chairs, American flags, waving to neighbors across the way, hydrangea bushes, and lemonade.
And what about the screened-in back porch? It’s the spot for naps in a hammock, an outdoor kitchen, a table big enough to host that 4th of July gathering– with bugs! What’s better than that?
Though porches feel as American as apple pie, the ancient Greeks deserve the credit for the first formal builds. Called a portico, the large spaces graced the entries– and identified– the homes of important or wealthy Greek citizens. The idea was copied through the centuries by various civilizations– and first brought to America by the British. As in the ancient world, the earliest porches on the East Coast homes were status symbols.
It wasn’t long, though, until the architectural value of porches were realized and copied everywhere. In the South– with our hot summers– smaller homes began to crop up that duplicated a concept imported from Africa– long, narrow homes with open porches at one end. Larger homes boasted large entry porticoes and wrap-arounds, sheltered by sloping roof lines. All were built to take advantage of breezes and provide shade.
Over the decades, status and function gave way to the porch becoming a place of community and gathering. Plus they invited
creativity and escape. “Sitting on the porch,’ wrote Ralph Waldo Emerson, “is like entering a secret garden of wisdom.”
America’s love affair with porches lasted for a century until modern innovations stunted the desire for outdoor space. The noise and smell of automobiles drove them off the front porch and into the house– to air-conditioned space and a television. By mid century, architects saw less of a demand for crafting porches.
Around that same time, homeowners began to focus on the back porch– screening in existing spaces or building entirely new screen rooms in order to enjoy backyard living.
Screened space has come a long way since the little screen porch off the back door. In recent years, the porch has come into its own as premiere living space,often featuring outdoor kitchens, pools, gardens and other personal design elements .
Bill’s Aluminum in Franklin, NC (family owned and operated for over 35 years in) knows this well. They specialize in bringing the outdoors in– and strive to create and maintain custom outdoor areas for you and your family to enjoy for years to come.
If you are interested in adding a porch to your home, call 838-52480674 and take advantage of Bill’s free, honest and dependable estimates so you will know upfront how much you’re paying and what you’re getting.
Author John Sarris said it well: Make your porch a part of your home, and it will make you a part of the world.
Adventure Out
Yellow Branch Falls
Peter
McIntosh
Spring is nigh upon us and we’re getting into the swing of spring by crossing the Chattooga River into South Carolina to visit one of the most amazing waterfalls in the region. I’m talking about Yellow Branch Falls, a cascade that’s similar in form to a wedding cake or a fancy chandelier. The trailhead to Yellow Branch Falls originates at the Yellow Branch Picnic Area on Hwy 28, just across from the Stumphouse Tunnel / Issaqueena Falls Park. So you could easily visit both beauty spots on one adventure.
There is a short nature trail at the picnic area, which crosses back and fourth over Yellow Branch. The trail to the falls breaks off of this trail so the total distance from the parking area to the waterfall is around 1.5 miles each way. This is a moderate hike with a total descent of about 300 feet in elevation. The footpath is well maintained with a couple of footbridges and stepping stone stream crossings. There is a Carsonite Marker where the falls trail leaves
the nature trail that reads “Y B Falls.” From here the pathway descends gently, coming to a stream with rectangular stepping stones that have been cemented into the bedrock. It’s a very cool creek crossing if you ask me. We follow along Yellow Branch a bit further before another crossing and then gently ascend away from the creek. The pathway soon becomes mostly level through a beautiful broad open forest of pines and hardwoods. A turn here, a hill there, and then the sound of rushing water can be heard through the woodlands. The sound becomes louder and louder as we descend and then there it is, Yellow Branch Falls! So many little cascades, dancing here and there, together, then apart, then together again. No professional water feature designer could do a more splendid job. Maybe that tells us something. This trail brings you to the base of the falls with lots of rock benches where you can enjoy the cool mist, relax and soak in the beauty of this nearby natural wonder. Happy hiking!
As we welcome the spring, my March poem I bring: The change of seasons is very enthralling, So let’s go see some cool water falling. A stunning cascade that’s really swell-o, The beautiful falls on a branch called Yellow!
Getting there: From US 441 in Clayton go east on Hwy 76, 8 miles to the Chattooga River. Cross over the river and go 2 miles to Chattooga Ridge Road on the left. Follow Chattooga Ridge Road for 5.5 miles to the intersection with Whetstone Road. Turn right and go another 5 miles to the intersection with Hwy 28. Turn right, towards Walhalla, and it’s just over ½ mile to the Yellow Branch Picnic Area on the right. There are picnic tables here, a pavilion and a restroom at this location as well as an information board describing the trail to the falls.
To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment, visit: www.mcintoshmountains.com
Peter McIntosh is an accomplished professional photographer. His photography is displayed in collections across the country. His passion for nature and the outdoors is what fuels his column. His work is available as fine art prints. Peter offers one on one and small group instruction on camera operation and photography. To see more of Peter’s photos, or if you have a question or comment, visit Peter’s website: www.mcintoshmountains.com
Firmly Rooted
Victoria “Tori” Carver
One would think that since I grow tens of thousands of flowers a year, my home would be filled to the brim with blooms from spring to autumn. But truthfully, I never save the best blooms for myself. I do, however, bring home all the misfits—the ones with sun damage, chewed petals, or those that lingered a little too long in the field. Because of this, I can attest that having fresh flowers in my home (even the misfits) undoubtedly affects my mood. I am not a morning person, yet when I walk into the kitchen and see a vase full of flowers, my mood instantly lifts.
While I can personally vouch for the mood-boosting benefits of flowers, science backs this up too. Several university studies have found overwhelming evidence that flowers are natural mood moderators with real health benefits.
Rutgers University conducted a 10-month study and found that the presence of flowers triggers happy emotions, increases life satisfaction, and positively affects social behavior. Participants, including over 147 women, reported feeling less depressed, anxious, and agitated while experiencing greater enjoyment and life satisfaction. The vibrant colors and soothing fragrances of flowers stimulate the release of “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which help alleviate stress and anxiety.
Interestingly, Rutgers also studied a group of men to determine whether flowers affected their mood. One group received a surprise gift of flowers, while the other did not. The results? The men who received flowers demonstrated increased eye contact in conversation, stood in closer proximity to researchers, and smiled more genuinely than those who did not. So, ladies, there’s no reason not to buy flowers for the men in your life too!
If that’s not convincing enough, a study conducted by researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that individuals living with fresh-cut flowers experienced decreased anxiety and worry, along with increased feelings of
compassion toward others. Having flowers at home can even have a positive carry-over effect at work. The same study found that people were happier, more enthusiastic, and had greater energy at work when flowers were present in their home environments.
Fresh flowers have also been shown to enhance memory, concentration, and creativity while boosting problem-solving abilities. And anyone who has ever spent time gardening knows that tending to flowers can sharpen the mind, alleviate stress, and foster a sense of peace.
Now, I realize not everyone can afford to have fresh flowers in their home on a weekly basis, which is why we tend to reserve them for special occasions. But with all these health benefits, why wait? Since studies suggest that incorporating fresh flowers into our living space can meaningfully improve overall well-being, shouldn’t we all take a moment to stop and smell the daisies? And while we’re at it, let’s pick them and bring them home so we can enjoy their benefits even longer.
If you can’t find any daisies, don’t worry— just stop by our petal porch. It’s that time of year and tulips, daffodils and other spring flowers are making their appearance. Grab yourself a jar of stress reducing, mood elevating, anxiety relieving flowers and see the benefits for yourself!
Victoria (Tori) Carver is a flower farmer. From the thousand bulbs and plants that she puts in the ground each year she creates lovely bouquets. Tori and her husband and children make their home in Clayton, where they are a treasured part of the community. If you are interested in Firmly Rooted Flower Farm please reach out by email to firmlyrootedflowerfarm@gmail.com or phone 706-490-0041. You will also enjoy their website at www.firmlyrootedflowerfarm.com
Mountain Ivy Garden Club Hosts 2nd Annual Garden Symposium
The Mountain Ivy Garden Club is hosting Celebrate Spring: a Garden Symposium, on April 11, 2025, at the Rabun County Civic Center, at 201 W. Savannah St. in downtown Clayton, Ga. The event is from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m. with registration at 8 a.m. Tickets, which will be sold in advance, are $75 per person and include lunch from Clayton Cafe. For ticket information contact Nancy at 706-982-0539.
The day-long event will feature expert speakers, demonstrations, a plant market, door prizes, raffles and a variety of gardenrelated vendors and activities.
Horticulturist and writer Scott Beuerlein, manager of botanical outreach at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, will speak on Favorite Plants From Favorite Gardens. Scott is a widely published writer who has interviewed some of the country’s top horticulturists for a variety of magazines as well as a regular humor column in Horticulture Magazine and the Garden Views.
Adam Bigelow, noted botanist and horticulturist, will share his expertise on Native Plants in the Landscape. Bigelow, a resident of Cullowhee, N.C., has been studying plants and wildflowers of Appalachia for more than 20 years. He is the proprietor of Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions, an ecotour business that leads interpretive plant walks in Western N.C. Brannen Basham, with his wife Jill Jacobs, owns Spriggly’s Beescaping, a nature education and habitat restoration business in Western N.C. They have published two books, A Guide to the Wonderful World Around Us: Notes on Nature, and Finding Home: A Story of a Mason Bee, with more on the way. In addition, Brannen serves as
VISIT Clayton, GA
the resident nature writer for the Sylva Herald in Sylva, N.C.
Erin Getzelman, Georgia Tech’s director of sustainability engagement, will share her expertise on Sustainability in the Landscape. Erin oversees programs and initiatives that connect students, staff and the broader campus community to sustainability practices. She also manages the campus community garden, thrift store and farmers market.
All profits go the the club’s scholarship fund, which provides college scholarships annually to Rabun County High School Students pursuing degrees in the agriculture sciences.
FOR TICKETS CONTACT NANCY AT 706-982-0539 OR VISIT US ON FACEBOOK
A Taste
Family Table
Lorie R. Thompson
The month of March in the mountains is often a surprise. It is such a mixed bag of weather. You may experience spring-type weather with warm days and soft rain showers, hurricane-forcewinds with snow, or all of the above! Never count Old Man Winter done until March is gone.
The key to enjoying March is to be ready for whatever season shows up each day. If it is snowing, embrace it, build a fire, and make a hearty soup or stew to enjoy as you watch the snowfall. (See the great recipe below.)If it is a blue-sky day offering the promise of Spring, enjoy some outdoor time and make salads for supper with fresh spring greens, feeling the joy of the upcoming change in season.
March is also a great time to invite friends over for dinner. Mountain Man and I are hosting a supper party for a special family tonight. The father, mother, son, and daughter-in-law recently moved here, and I was fortunate enough to help them find new homes. I’m cooking a meal to honor them in their new beginnings as our new friends and neighbors. This family has deep roots here in Rabun, and this move represents a homecoming.
Let me tell you about the appetizers I am making for them. We will start the evening with something I recently discovered: Marinated Feta Cheese. This recipe by Yotam Ottolenghi intrigued me. It begins with charring the aromatics, which gives the marinade a smoky flavor. Yes, you start by burning the ingredients. I had to try it! Start by heating a heavy pan until hot. Make sure to have your exhaust fan on high. You will need to evacuate the smoking chili fumes as you char them. Add 10 peeled, whole garlic cloves and cook for 3-4 minutes, turning halfway through, until charred.
Add a peeled lemon skin with no pith and cook for 60 seconds or until charred. Add two bay leaves. Add 2 1/2 tsp of Chipotle or any red Chile Flake and stir continuously for about 30 seconds until the chileis charred. Remove from heat and allow the pan to cool. Do not breathe the fumes!
Add 1 Cup of olive oil, 1 tsp flaky salt, and 1 1/4 tsp paprika.
After completely cooling the oil, add one large block of Feta cheese cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Allow the feta to marinate. Store for up to five days in the refrigerator, allowing the jar to come to room temperature before serving. In the early 1980s, I worked with Mary Lou Annen at Century 21 North Country Realty. I adored Mary Lou. She was schooled in business and was the epitome of professionalism. Of course, we talked about real estate, but cooking often came into the conversation. I wanted to be successful in business and learn to cook great food, and Mary Lou was generous in
sharing her knowledge of both. She helped me structure an effective mailing campaign for my business and introduced me to Pickled Shrimp. I still use both 40+ years later.
I lost Mary Lou’s actual recipe over the years, but I have made this dish many times. Here is the basic recipe. You can change it up to suit your taste.
This recipe is for a two-pound bag of peeled and deveined Shrimp.
Bring 3 Quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 T of Cajun seasoning and 2 T of Old Bay Seasoning, and if you have it, one whole beer. When the water is boiling, add the Shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp change color and look solid. Slightly undercooked the Shrimp—do not overcook them! The vinegar and lemon juice will cook the Shrimp more, and if you overcook them, they will become rubbery. Remove the Shrimp from the boiling water and spread out on a sheet pan to cool, ensuring they are in a single layer. Sprinkle lightly with more Cajun and Old Bay Seasoning.
Make a simple pickle brine with your favorite vinegar. I use 1/2 C White vinegar, 1/4 C Red Wine vinegar, 1/2 C water, Juice from one lemon, 1 tsp Kosher salt, 1 tsp each dill weed, parsley, and crushed red pepper flake, 2T capers, and Juice. Add 1 Bay leaf. After the Shrimp have cooled, add them to the brine with layers of sliced red onion, sweet Vidalia onion or shallots, sliced lemons, and 3-4 garlic cloves. Be sure to weigh down the Shrimp and onions so that the brine completely covers them.
Store the Shrimp in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours before serving. Serve alongside a small bowl of peppery horseradish cocktail sauce and crisp crackers.
I have another recipe perfect for the last bitter days of March. This is for a rich pork stew with a little twist. Start by cleaning three leeks. Slice the leeks in half lengthways and wash as they have sand between the layers. The flavor they bring to a dish is well worth the effort. Scrub clean and rough chop, 5-6 Carrots and 3-4 celery ribs. Clean 2-3 medium onions and chop them in half. Peel 8-10 garlic cloves.
Add 1-2 T of olive oil to a heavy Dutch oven and brown 2-3 pounds of country-style pork ribs, cut into large chunks. Remove the meat and layer in the vegetables with 2 Bay leaves, 1 t of crushed red pepper flakes, and 2 T of Kosher salt. Add 1 pound of Kielbasa sausage sliced into 1-inch rounds. Add 8 C of water and bring to a low boil. Partially cover and slow cook for 2 hours, skimming the top every 30 minutes. Add more water if needed. After two hours, Add 3-4 potatoes and 3-4 turnips, peeled and cut into large similar sized pieces. Add 1/2 tsp of ground cloves. Cook for 30 minutes or until the potatoes and turnips are tender. Add a small cabbage cut into wedges. Submerge in the liquid and cook for an additional 20 minutes. Serve with crusty bread and enjoy Winter’s last stand!
I hope you all noticed my new countertops in the photographs. My house is just like me: old! I wanted these countertops 25 years ago but settled for something different. My friends at River Edge Granite in Elberton updated them, and I am so proud! If you see old Mountain Man, ask him if the food prepared on the fancy new tops tastes any better.
May God bless you and keep you and those you love!
Lorie Thompson is a REALTOR at Poss Realty in Clayton, Georgia. Her expertise in her industry is second only to her culinary talents. Lorie is a dynamo in the kitchen. Honestly if she prepares it, it will likely be the best you’ve ever had! Lorie and her husband, Anthony (Peanut), make their home in the Persimmon Community. She is the proud mom of Joe & Charli Thompson and BJ & Kendall McCauley.
A TASTE
of the Mountains
THESE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS POINT TO OUR CREATOR GOD
John Hutcheson Sr.
Rabun County is blessed with stunning mountains. There are 176 named peaks in this county with Rabun Bald towering as the highest peak at 4,696 feet—the second highest peak in all of Georgia. Also, Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia’s highest state park, reaches up to 3,640 feet.
Those of us who are privileged to live or work in these beautiful mountains need to be reminded that our Creator God planned for these mountains to teach us truths about Himself. Yet, one of the problems of our fallenness is that we tend to get used to the splendor of the mountains. We take them for granted, and thus we don’t allow the mountains to point us back to the awesome Creator behind them. We do well to ask ourselves if we let the mountains direct us upward to the God who made them and who cares for us, or do we simply enjoy their beauty with no thought for the majesty and extraordinary power of the God who formed the mountains?
Many of us are very familiar with the Scripture’s words, “I will lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). Multiple times in that short psalm, the writer declares that the LORD (the “I AM”) is our helper and keeper, who protects His own by shepherding the events of our lives with special care. Looking up at the hills and
mountains around him caused the Psalmist to be reminded of who his source of help and security really is.
First among the Scriptural truths about our incredible God which the mountains teach us is God’s permanence. The prophet Habakuk referred to “the eternal mountains” and “the everlasting hills” (Hab. 3:6). Though the mountains had a beginning when God created them, Habakuk used symbolic imagery to describe the mountains’ permanent features. Think of Black Rock Mountain, which has been the same for millennia. Generations have lived and died beneath Black Rock, and it has not changed. That is a fitting reminder for us of our great God who is always the same and never changes (Malachi 3:6).
Next the mountains remind us of the LORD’s protection over us. The Psalms also declare that “as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, from this time forth and forevermore” (Ps. 125:2). Just as Jerusalem is surrounded by many mountains, so God uses that metaphor to represent how He surrounds His people with love, care, security, and protection. Most importantly, He provides spiritual protection—for those who are in Christ—from the evil attacks of Satan (2 Thess. 3:3). Yet, He also provides physical protection as we live in a broken world under the curse of sin. As a
In 1977, John Sr. became the first full-time pastor of a new church, Tabernacle Baptist Church. After 23 years at TBC, God called John into global missions where he trained national pastors in Ukraine and underground pastors in Muslim countries in Central Asia. He has also preached in all 50 states. In 2022, God brought him and his bride, Lois, back to Rabun County. John and Lois have been blessed with nine children and twenty grandchildren. He has the privilege of serving as a lay elder alongside his two sons who are the pastors at TBC.
general rule, God’s people are more blessed and protected than those who are not followers of Jesus. That is not to say that we don’t face suffering. Those who know Jesus personally do experience suffering, but it’s for our good and His glory as He provides more than enough grace to handle it.
The mountains further are sentinels that point to God’s purity. The Psalmist prayed, “Your righteousness is like the mountains of God” (Psalm 36:6). He was contrasting the purity of his God with the pollution of the wicked world in which we live. God’s righteousness is so obvious, like towering mountains stretching up into the skies!
The LORD is pure in all His ways, and He has the right to expect his creation to conform to the righteous standards He has set. People either make lifestyle choices according to their own standards of what they like, or they choose to pursue Jesus in repentance and faith in order to live according to His righteous moral compass.
So, as we look at God’s magnificent mountains all around us, we should ask God to help us not to take them for granted. They are the LORD’s signposts to remind us to give thanks for the truths that He never changes, that He protects us, and that He always does what is right!
In 1977, John Sr. became the first full-time pastor of a new church, Tabernacle Baptist Church. After 23 years at TBC, God called John into global missions where he trained national pastors in Ukraine and underground pastors in Muslim countries in Central Asia. He has also preached in all 50 states. In 2022, God brought him and his bride, Lois, back to Rabun County.
John and Lois have been blessed with nine children and twenty grandchildren. He has the privilege of serving as a lay elder alongside his two sons who are the pastors at TBC.
Photo Credit: Dalton Freeman
Life is a Blessing When We Walk on Water
Tracy McCoy
Iknow that there are other people out there who run head long into gigantic struggles, be it at home, work, in their church, among family or with a friend. There are those among us who are challenged by health issues, heart issues or other things that threaten to steal our joy.
I think of Peter, when he was in the ship and the wind was really blowing and their vessel was being tossed around. Is your ship rocking? Well as the story goes, the disciples see a figure coming to them ON the water. Not through the water or under the water, walking on the water and they were afraid. Been afraid? I have. Well the story continues and the Bible says “they cried out in fear”. Been there and done that too, haven’t you? Well Jesus calms their fears... saying “Be of good cheer, be not afraid.” So, Peter says “Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.” Well better watch what you ask for cause Jesus said, “Come” and Peter came down out of the ship and he (through faith and by the power of Christ) walks on the water towards Jesus. How about that kind of faith, ever felt that? Have you ever had a “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” moment? A “Jesus said so” moment where you claim His promises and you believe His word? Well Peter didn’t even question the Lord. I might have said, “just kidding Jesus, I’ll wait for you here.” After all they were already frightened. Peter bailed out and was headed for Jesus. It was all going really well for a few minutes perhaps. Did he take two steps or a dozen? The Bible doesn’t tell us that; what it tells us is that Peter did what we do, he was just like we are. Nothing has changed in all these years; we are still doing what Peter did that night on the ocean. He saw the wind. The wind could be your failed marriage, your disease, your fear, your lost job, your troubled teen, your self doubt, your broken heart... what is your wind?
When Peter took his eyes off of his Lord who had given him the ability to walk on water and he focused his attention on the power of the wind he began to sink. You know that feeling don’t you? I do.
That “I am in quicksand, I am drowning, I am losing my grip feeling” when you feel alone and afraid because you took your eyes off of the source of your power, the One who died for you. I think of Jesus in the desert when He was face to face with Satan, tempted relentlessly and I wonder if He felt alone and afraid. I think Peter, even after having walked side by side with the Savior, was afraid. The Bible tells us “he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” I have cried and I have begged Jesus to take my hand and save me. I have been up to my neck in troubles because “my wind” overcame me and I took my eyes off of Him.
I love what happens next, watch this, the next verse (31) in Matthew chapter 21 says, “IMMEDIATELY, Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” I have a co-worker who reassures me often by saying “I’ve got this, don’t worry.” That is what Jesus was saying to Peter. Hey Peter don’t you know I’ve got this! Why do you doubt? The Bible doesn’t say what Peter may have said back to Christ but maybe it was “well Lord, did you see how much that wind was blowing? I’ve never walked on water before; I wasn’t sure I could do it... well see I forgot you were right there with me.” Anything Peter could have said wouldn’t have mattered. He was walking on water with the King of Kings who created the wind and had proven time and again that He could be trusted. Miracle after miracle these men had seen but they still had fears and doubts. God understands when you and I have them too. He wants us to trust Him and to know “He’s got this!”
Once Jesus entered the ship, you can probably guess, the wind ceased because He is bigger than the wind and He is bigger than your “wind” too. The final verse in this chapter says “Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, of a truth thou art the Son of God.” Now I find it amusing that they declared him Son of God at this point. Had they missed him turning water to wine and healing the man by the pool? Was it Peter walking on water or
the calming of the wind that proved to them once again that He was exactly who He said He was? Thus I think that is why Jesus said to Peter, “Oh thou of little faith.”
What if we could operate on that water walking faith every day, where could Christ take us? What would He accomplish through us? What if we could keep in perspective who He is and who we are because of our faith in Him. There is a saying that goes something like this, don’t tell God how big your mountain (“wind”) is, tell the mountain (“wind”) how big your God is. “But we are human Lord and we forget who we are because of Your finished work. We lose sight of God’s promises (there are THOUSANDS of promises from Genesis to Revelations) and we don’t even know them all cause we are so busy managing this “wind” Lord to stop and read the Bible.” Surely when He hears our excuses He shakes His head. I do know that He longs for us to trust Him because our lives would be so much better if we would. He sees our struggles and He knows our pain and He wants so badly for us to know that He’s got this! He loves you and He gave His life for you. He can and will handle the winds of life.
Today, just for today will you give your cares to Him and trust Him to care for you? They don’t call Him Savior for nothing, ya know!
A few scriptures to encourage us daily:
Romans 8:38-39 - For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 41:10 - “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 - Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Romans 15:13 - Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Ephesians 3:17-21 - For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
ASK DR. J
Keith Jackson, MD
Common sense answers to frequently asked questions from a community ENT physician
Question; Hey, doc. My 8-year-old worries me. I’ll call him upstairs to brush his teeth, get his books, and come down for breakfast. He just stands there and stares at me over the railing. He’s intelligent enough. What’s going on?
Answer; As an ENT doctor, I get involved with children like yours often, mainly to have their hearing checked. But a very common issue in kids like your son is classified as a Cognitive Processing Disorder. One type of CPD is having trouble with multistep instructions. His brain isn’t yet “up to speed.” It hasn’t “caught up” taking in your instructions, making sense of them, and then responding.
And, just like you say, it doesn’t reflect how smart he is. Processing problems are often seen in capable, bright children who are highly creative. But this can be a problem in school. The teacher may recognize the child as being good enough at his homework but terrible at test-taking and not know he needs support. Once the teacher is told that he has a diagnosed processing issue, they’ll know he’ll do better allowing extra time and a private area to test.
As a parent, you can learn to break tasks down into smaller steps. As in your question, ask him to brush his teeth. Once done, remind him to get his books. Then call him downstairs for breakfast. Children like yours do better with written-down checklists, charts, and even timers. If there are lots of distractions, make sure you make eye contact, if possible, and say your most important instruction first.
There are a lot of different processing problems. This article addresses the “speed challenge” type. While we all have brains, I doubt any two are alike. We may identify visual or hearing imputs differently, making responses to them different as well. Even touch, smell, or movement interpretations can vary. These differences can inhibit learning when the child’s experience is different that the instructor.
Other factors affect your child’s ability to focus and concentrate. Eating too much sugar and not getting quality sleep are two of the most egregious. We allow our children to dictate what they’ll eat –anything sweet – and then act helpless as they become obese. Obesity is a harmful factor in many things, especially sleep quality. Some kids, particularly those diagnosed with ADHD, may just react poorly to sugar and not sleep well.
Raising children isn’t easy. Sometimes, it seems impossible. We all worry. But a lot of parents worse than you successfully raised children with bigger problems than yours. And a lot of kids survived bad parenting to thrive as adults, as well. Like all humans, practice patience and celebrate progress with your child. (I’m still trying, too. You’re not alone.)
Keith Jackson, MD is a graduate of Medical College of Georgia and Emory Medical School, where he completed his Residency in ENT. Dr. Jackson practiced as an ENT specialist in Atlanta at Northside, Scottish Rite, North Fulton, and Saint Joseph’s Hospitals until moving to Lake Rabun in 2020. Currently, he is in full-time ENT practice at Mountain Lakes Hospital in Clayton, Georgia. His interests include music and art. Dr. Jackson is a Rotarian and enjoys giving back to the community.
Health & Wellness
Restored Health Stefan’s Story
Dawn Kluver
Seventh grade initiated a slow, downward spiral for Stefan*. Until then, he’d been an A-student, athletic and energetic. But by summer, his grades had fallen, he dropped out of sports, and he never felt completely well. “I might have been diagnosed with depression, had that been a thing in the early 80s. But it was far more physical than that.”
But he couldn’t define it and his parents were busy with family and work responsibilities– and the change that started in 12-year-old Stefan was subtle enough to disappear into a new normal as the years went on.
“I entered the National Guard at age 17 and somehow I pushed through. When I started college after the military, I began to struggle even more. Brain fog, body aches, low energy. I kept thinking I had a flu that never went away. The campus doctor was the one that actually diagnosed me with Hashimoto Thyroiditis and prescribed a synthetic thyroid replacement medication, Levothyroxine.”
Stefan was told he had an underactive thyroid and as long as he took his meds, he would be OK. And though there was a modicum of change, he still struggled off and on with many of the symptoms he’d had since childhood plus some new ones– mild depression, severe brain fog, low energy, weight gain, joint pain,high cholesterol, and stomach and bowel issues.
It wasn’t until he was in his 40s that Stefan happened upon an article about the true nature of Hashimoto Thyroiditis.
“None of the doctors I saw over the years ever mentioned that Hashimoto is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid. That’s nothing like traditional hypothyroidism, for which a thyroid supplement does the job.”
This revelation sent him on a course of research that included visits to functional and holistic practitioners. He began supplementing with fish oil, a B-complex, L-Tyrosine, selenium and a combination of vitamin D and K. Occasionally his functional doctor added in other supplements or adjusted his intake based on bloodwork.
“I learned that inflammation was the root of many of my symptoms. In order to lower that, I tested for food intolerance and dropped dairy and a few other foods as a result,” Stefan says. “And I learned that many people who have autoimmune issues are intolerant to gluten and shouldn’t be consuming sugar at all.”
Dietary changes were difficult. Stefan had come to use food as a means of picking himself up when his brain fog was debilitating– or when he was fighting off depression. And over the years his weight and cholesterol were getting higher than his general practitioner was comfortable with.
“My cholesterol was around 250, so of course she wanted to put me on a statin,” says Stefan. “But my functional doctor was against the idea. Newer research not only questioned the drug’s safety, but apparently challenges the idea that high cholesterol is as problematic as it was originally thought to be.”
Would he first be willing to try intermittent fasting and supplementing with black seed oil? She explained that a number of studies pointed to its impact on inflammation, heart health, reduction of total cholesterol, and restoring balance to both HDL and LDL cholesterol levels.
“I agreed to try both. She recommended I start the fasting program by limiting my eating to between noon and 7pm. Only black coffee before that– and nothing at night,” Stefan explains.
In 6 weeks, Stefan had dropped 12 pounds. And after 3 months, he was holding steady at his ideal weight, just under 20 pounds of weight dropped. “And my cholesterol and weight has been in normal range for two years now!”
Stefan no longer struggles with the symptoms of Hashimoto anymore. He still takes levothyroxine, though his dosage was cut in half years ago when his lab work showed his thyroid had become working better on its own due to the changes he made.
“For me, seeing an alternative medical specialist was life-saving. I still visit my general practitioner when needed, but I tell everyone that will listen that conventional medicine is only part of the solution,” Stefan says. “I’m stronger and healthier at nearly 60 years old than I was as a child because I was willing to go outside the box.”
Alternative medicine, specifically the practices of integrative and functional medicine, has increasingly been given a place at the table. With an aim to reduce or eliminate the use of pharmaceuticals, it addresses the root causes of diseases rather than just treating symptoms. Diagnosis considers genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors– and treatment strategies provide a comprehensive and personalized strategy for preventing and managing chronic illnesses.
*Stefan requested that his real name not be used.
Dawn Kluver is a writer by trade and passion and a hospitality entrepreneur by default. She has worked in advertising and marketing, and with her husband, has owned a dementia care facility, a restaurant, a seasonal rental business, and a remodeling company. Her work includes the novel, Jumping In Sunset (Multnomah Publishing, 2005). She and her husband are building a home in Otto, NC, and hope to never move again!
Effective Therapies to Keep You Looking & Feeling Your Best
In recent years, intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) injectable therapies have gained popularity for enhancing health and wellness. These treatments deliver essential nutrients—like vitamins, minerals, and amino acids—directly into the bloodstream, allowing for quicker and more effective absorption.
IV therapy is commonly used to boost energy, improve hydration, enhance immune function, and aid recovery from illness or physical exertion. As more individuals seek personalized and preventive healthcare, these therapies are becoming an attractive option. Clayton Family Medicine is pleased to offer these services to patients and the community.
Biotin, or vitamin B7, offers several health benefits, particularly for those with a deficiency or looking to enhance their wellness. It supports a healthy metabolism by converting food into energy and can improve hair, skin, and nail health, making it popular for those with thinning hair or brittle nails. Biotin also aids the nervous system and helps regulate blood sugar levels, with injections ensuring better absorption for those with absorption issues.
Vitamin B-12 provides vital benefits, especially for those deficient or struggling to absorb it through diet. Injections can boost energy, elevate mood, and enhance mental clarity, as B-12 is crucial for red blood cell production and neurological function. People with pernicious anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, or strict vegan diets are particularly at risk and can benefit greatly from regular B-12 injections to maintain optimal levels and overall health.
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), administered subcutaneously such as Semaglutide andTirzepatide, are popular for managing type 2 diabetes and promoting weight loss. These medications mimic GLP-1 hormone, helping regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin release, reducing liver glucose production, and slowing gastric emptying, which increases feelings of fullness. They effectively curb appetite and cravings, making them valuable for those with obesity. Additionally, there’s evidence of potential cardiovascular benefits, such as a lower risk of heart attack and stroke in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Lipo B (IM) combine essential nutrients like vitamin B12, methionine, inositol, and choline to support fat metabolism and boost energy levels. These injections are popular for aiding weight loss by enhancing the body’s ability to break down fat. Vitamin B12 increases energy and brain function, while lipotropic compounds promote liver detoxification and healthy metabolism. Additionally, Lipo B shots can improve digestion and reduce fatigue, making them a sought-after option for weight management and overall vitality.
Taurine (IV or IM) offer various benefits for enhancing physical and mental performance. This amino acid is vital for hydration, cardiovascular health, and muscle function. Consuming taurine in any form can improve endurance, reduce muscle fatigue, and speed recovery after workouts. It also enhances cognitive function, providing better focus and mental clarity, making it popular among athletes and gamers. Unlike caffeine-laden energy shots, taurine provides a smooth energy boost without jitters or crashes.
Tri Immune Boost (IV or IM) provides a potent way to bolster the immune system by delivering a concentrated blend of important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants straight into the bloodstream. This method allows for quicker and more efficient absorption than oral supplements, offering immediate support to the body’s natural defenses. Ingredients such as vitamin C, zinc, and glutathione help reduce inflammation, counter oxidative stress, and boost overall immunity.
Mineral Blend (IV or IM) injections effectively restore essential minerals needed for optimal body function, featuring key minerals such as magnesium, zinc, selenium, and calcium. These treatments can be especially helpful for individuals with nutrient deficiencies or chronic fatigue and support hydration, stress relief, and overall health.
Vitamin D (IV or IM) injection provides significant benefits, particularly for those with severe deficiencies or absorption issues. This method allows for quicker absorption since it bypasses the digestive system, making it ideal for individuals with gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s or celiac disease. IV or injectable Vitamin D can rapidly restore levels, enhancing bone health, immune function, and mood more effectively than oral supplements. It’s typically given in clinical settings under medical supervision.
Meyer’s Cocktail is a nutrient-rich intravenous therapy that combines various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C and B-complex vitamins. It provides health benefits for those seeking increased energy, immune support, or relief from chronic conditions like fatigue, migraines, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The IV delivery allows for rapid absorption, enhancing hydration, mood, and overall wellness, and is commonly used for recovery from physical activity or during illness.
At Clayton Family Medicine, the providers are dedicated to tailoring a therapy plan to fit your unique needs. Each individual is different, and what works best can vary significantly from person to person. It’s wise to involve a medical professional in determining the approach that will offer you the greatest relief and improvement. Dr. Pratt and his team are eager to talk with you about your health and wellness goals and to create a personalized plan to help you achieve them. For more information, feel free to email Claytonfamilymedicine@gmail. com or call 706-960-9550.
Foxfire
Kevin Fountain & The Gott Cabin
Edited by Foxfire Staff - Sunny Lin and Emma Vignolini
Kevin Fountain has a strong connection with Foxfire. He was in seventh grade in 1982 when he wrote his first article for the magazine. He was one of the students who built the Gott Cabin. For Kevin, it was his first time building a cabin. This special experience brought him practical knowledge of different tools and techniques. The Gott Cabin was once used as a storage shed, but has now become a home for Appalachian music as Les Barnett’s studio at the Foxfire Museum. -Xiaqing (Sunny) Lin
I lived on Black Rock Mountain for most of my life. My dad grew up there, and my grandmother lived down at the bottom of the mountain. I made friends with people who have been a part of Foxfire for a long time. I witnessed a bunch of traditions that my grandmother did; for example, woodstove cooking. Although I moved to North Carolina when I was nineteen, the heritage and memorable experiences that Foxfire brought me are etched into me, and accompany me wherever I go.
In school, we had Foxfire as an English class. We did four magazines a year. That was how I stepped into Foxfire. We transcribed and did the layouts for the magazine during the class. I did my first Foxfire Magazine in the seventh grade.
One summer, around 1985, a guy named Peter Gott, led me and about ten other students to build the Gott Cabin. Working with other Foxfire students for three or four weeks has always been a precious memory for me. Peter Gott was a maker himself, he showed us how to do the notching and build the cabin. We learned how to do all the cutting on one log and make the log square. We then took and put adze marks on the side to make it seem like it was hand hewn. Peter Gott set the corners of logs together. There were no pins or anything that held it together, but gravity which kept them in place. To be honest, making those notches utilized lots of Geometry knowledge. Peter would take a hand saw to flatten the corner. After doing that, we couldn’t even put a piece of paper in between the joints. For the chinking and the cracks on the side, we mixed red mud and cement to make it red.
The most challenging part while constructing the Gott cabin was for them to teach the kids how to use broad axes, adzes, and other different tools in the construction. It was hard for a fifteen-year-old child to build stuff with sharp tools. It was fascinating to learn the principle of the construction anyways. You can still see our broadaxe
mark on the door of the Gott Cabin. My classmates who helped construct the cabin and I carved our names onto the wall after we were done.
Walking back to the Gott Cabin today, after 39 years since it was built, is so special for me. Just to see all those familiar names on the wall. All the memories of class days and classmates poured out when I wandered inside the cabin. Just the memories that you had from long ago that went with it.
From my perspective, Foxfire is a place that keeps people connected, which kept me involved in the community. Foxfire is community building. We built things over years. It is an embodiment of human connection in local history that brought various people together. It preserves and thrives on all kinds of people’s stories, although some old people are passing away. As the information and the heritage at Foxfire is passed down and more needs to be collected, the historical properties here need to be preserved. I would say working at Foxfire was my fondest memory.
I think people are part of their heritage. Like Foxfire, I do not think I can ever get out of it. Despite the technologies today, it is still essential for people to know how older people do things and what path the elders have essentially walked on. I am sure knowing these hand-on skills will always be helpful however the world changes in the future.
Native Plant Weekend - April 11 - 13
Heritage Days - June 6 & 7 at Foxfire
Mountaineer Festival - October 4 at the Rabun Civic Center Pavilions
Foxfire Christmas - December 6 at Foxfire
Just Thinking
By The Way... Shamrock Shenanigans Cunningham Goes Green!
Emory Jones
Hold on to your clover, folks. My pet pig, Cunningham, is about to make history again.
As the young folks say, I’m “over the moon” to announce that my pet pig has received another honor—he’s been asked to be the first-ever “Pig ‘O the Green” at the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day event down on farmer Chuck Waggin’s cow pasture in Green County. Cunningham is as excited as a leprechaun on a bender. (Or in a blender. Either one works.)
It all started with a call from a guy with an Irish-sounding drawl. He said he was from the Celtic Advocates for Shamrock Heritage (CASH) consortium. I was familiar with the group since I’d sent them a $5 check last year as my wife Judy’s Christmas present. So, I guess she’s on their mailing list now.
“Is Cunningham about?” the man asked.
“About what?” I asked back.
“About being “Pig ‘O the Green” ye daft eejit! The event we throw every year—rain, shine, or rogue tractor—in old man Chuck Waggin’s cow pasture. Tis a grand honor.”
“You had me at ‘shine,’” I told him. I found out later that “daft eejit” is Irish for “Man Who Keeps Pig in House.” Also, “shine,” I learned, means the same thing there as it does here.
“But shouldn’t this honor go to a Leprechaun?” I asked.
“Why would a Leprechaun want to be “Pig ‘O the Green’”? he grumbled. “Besides, the Leprechauns unionized. They’re striking for gold-plated boots and whiskey breaks.
We need a pig with a good head on his hams. Plus, we hear Cunningham goes hog-wild for green beer.”
“He’s a pig. He’d chug brown Kool-Aid if you put it in front of him.”
Then, just to be sure, I asked, “Are you aware that Cunningham isn’t Irish?”
“Aye, but the committee’ agreed to turn a blind eye on one condition.”
“What condition?” I asked, expecting the worst. “And it better not involve drinking brown Kool-Aid because I was just kidding about that.”
“Not a’tall. It’s just that the pig, sure enough, will have to don a Leprechaun costume.”
“Well, that’s doable. Anything else?”
“He must be painted green. Committee’s rules, ye see.”
“Let me get this straight. You want me to paint my pig green, dress him in a Leprechaun costume, and drive all the way to Green County to be “Pig ‘O the Green” in an event held in a cow pasture?”
“Aye, spot on.”
“Tis a grand idea,” I said, hoping to sound as Irish as possible. “Who would NOT go see that? “We’re in,” I said even before conferring with the pig.
But that was okay because when I broke the news to Cunningham, he danced a jig, which is more complicated than it looks, what with him having two left feet and all.
Anyway, I let the CASH know Cunningham was good to So, now we’re gearing up for the big day. Unfortunately, Judy has a conflict, but come March 17th, the pig and me will pile into my truck and head down to Chuck Waggin’s cow pasture in colorful Green County.
If you find yourself near the place, drop on in. How often can you catch a green pig rocking a Leprechaun suit—and trust me, he owns it. He’s already mastered pinching people with his dewclaws when they forget to wear green.
Even Judy finds that cute. Just yesterday, she said he’s like having a little Irish dictator in the house who smells terrible and snorts at his own rules. She also had a few other comments, but I doubt this magazine would print those. At least, I hope not.
Emory Jones grew up in Northeast Georgia’s White County. After a stint in the Air Force, he joined Gold Kist as publications manager. He was the Southeastern editor for Farm Journal Magazine and executive vice president at Freebarin & Company, an Atlanta-based advertising agency. He has written seven books. Emory is known for his humor, love of history and all things Southern. He and his wife, Judy, live on Yonah Mountain near Cleveland, Georgia.
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Northridge is located on the northern ridges of Tiger Mtn. Estate Tracts of 3 to over 10 Acres in pristine forest featuring clear springs, creek and outstanding mtn./valley views.
Perfect for your dream home.
Scott Poss 706-490-2305
Onion Mountain Rd • Franklin
• Two parcels totaling 3.89+/- AC
• Located in a charming subdivision
• Ideal for building your dream home
• Serene and picturesque setting
MLS 10327635 • $99,000
Kasie Campbell 706-982-4770
42 Broker Ln • Clayton
• 3BR/2BA home w single-level living
• Fresh interior and exterior paint
• Updated appliances • Covered parking
• Storage building w/ workshop
MLS 10446220 • $289,000
Ken Fortney 706-461-1133
Blossom Drive Unit 1484 • Clayton
• .45+- AC wooded lot w/ views.
• Sloped terrain for a natural slope
• Cleared lot ready for building or RV.
• Opportunity to build a dream home
MLS 10403215 • $6,000
Tony Politano 727-422-2966
173 Blacks Creek Dr • Clayton
• 2/1 • 908 SQ FT • .35+-AC
• Charming 1950’s country cottage
• Vacation, full-time or Investment
MLS 10271489 • $175,000
Susan Rickman 706-490-2077
Kelli Barnes 706-982-2111
511 Rainey Mtn Rd • Clayton
• Cute and cozy A-frame cabin
• 2BR and 1.5BA • 1.59+/- wooded acres
• Top-of-the-line GAF roof installed in 2016
• Many upgrades since 2019:
MLS 10382598 • $289,000
Kevin Croom 706-982-1371
Lancelot Loop • Clayton
• Lot 9 in the Kingwood Community.
• Easily accessible • Potential views
• Paved roads & private water/sewer
• Resort amenities available
MLS10332552 • $29,900
Frank Parsons 678-787-5404
227 Shakespeare Dr Unit 302 • Clayton
• 3BR/3BA • 1,800+ SQ FT
• Top-level end unit w/ golf course view
• Significant upgrades w/ enclosed porch
• Ideal for full-time or second-home
MLS 10383027 • $284,000
Ronnie Owings 404-702-3629
150 Walking Stick Rd • Clayton
• 1 BR/1.5BA • .70+/- AC w/ stream
• Large porch for relaxation & screened porch
• Hardwood floors, wood ceilings on main floor
• Mostly furnished • Nice community
MLS 10417264 • $315,000
Cheryl Justus 706-982-9329
0 Maple Leaf Drive
• Easy build 1.9 +/- AC wooded lot
• Creek on the property
• Close to Sky Valley & Spring Lake
• Possible views
MLS 10366816• $48,500
Debra Thornton 706-490-2712
198 Florida Avenue
• Clayton
• Charming bungalow/cottage w/ 2BR/1BA
• Seasonal mountain views from deck
• Currently operates as a VRBO
• Appointment necessary for viewing
MLS 10437467 • $225,000
Doug McElrath 706-499-2530
406 Kitchins Lane • Clayton
• 3BR/2BA • 1.66+/- AC • Gated entrance
• Secluded home w one-level living
• Sun porch & office/storage space off master.
• Multiple outbuildings
• Close to everything
MLS 10456391 • $329,000
Sam Rumsey 706-982-9673
50 Loop Way • Rabun Gap
• 3BR/2BA • 1810 SQ FT • I+- AC
• Quaint cabin in Sylvan Lake Falls Community
• Enjoy seasonal views from large open deck
• Eat-in kitchen, separate dining, family room
MLS 10337338 • $348,900
Marsha Ramey 706-490-1035
381 W Sugarbush Dr • Dillard
• Charming home in the heart of Sky Valley
• 4BR/3BA
• All season covered deck
• Gently sloping lot w/ easy access driveway
MLS 10405624 • $593,000
Nate Conkling 407-876-0242
Robyn Conkling 407-717-6971
786 Hope Haven Ln • Rabun Gap
• 3BR/2BA on 3+/- AC • Borders USFS
• Fully furnished move-in ready mtn cabin
• 2700+ ft elevation offering mtn views
• Full bath, den, & “flex” room downstairs
MLS 20176827 • $649,000 Nic Poss 706-982-0872
15 Sketoa Mills Dr • Clayton Ga
• 3BR/2BA • Furnished • Great investment
• Turnkey duplex in Clayton city limits
• Proven rental history • Creek frontage
• Schedule a showing today
MLS 10455865 • $349,000
Joanna Radford 706-490-2724
164 Asa Cove Lane • Rabun Gap
• 3BR/2BA “mini-farm” on 12.86+/- AC
• Betty’s Creek area w/ frontage on two creeks
• Lovely pond w/ decking and hot tub
• USFS border and multiple outbuildings
MLS 10367325 • $599,000
Tiffany English 706-490-1012
582 Wynngate Dr • Dillard
• 4BR/3.5BA on 3+/- AC w/ views
• Large open floor plan w/ stone fireplace
• Cathedral ceilings & covered decks
• Massive 2-car garage & workshop
MLS 10450906 • $899,000 Roger Glenn 770-312-7940
104 Harmony • Rabun Gap
• Nestled in Wolffork Valley
• 3BR/3BA Cabin w/ Hardieplank siding
• Downstairs perfect for an in-law suite
• Selling AS-IS, perfect short-term rental
MLS 10439434 • $419,900
Ann Inman 256-622-0334
931 Saga Mountain • Tiger
• 3BR/3.5BA New 2400 SQFT cabin
• Mountain views • Hardwood flooring
• Cathedral tongue & groove ceilings
• Gourmet kitchen w/ large island
MLS 10412931 • $599,900
Jim Blalock 706-490-1404 Featured Property
784 Wolffork Church • Rabun Gap
• Chef’s kitchen ideal for gourmet cooking
• Stunning views • Sunroom and large decks
• A private bedroom suite w/ personal deck
• Expansive grounds with flat, grassy areas
MLS 10423857 • $1,395,000
Lorie Thompson 706-490-1820
137 Squaw Valley Ln • Dillard
• 2BR/2BA one-level living w hickory floors
• Beautifully updated home in Sky Valley
• Two master suites • All-weather sunroom
MLS 10411331 • $425,000
Robyn Conkling 407-717-6971
Nate Conkling 407-876-0242
71 Peek and Peak Lane • Sky Valley
• 3BR/3BA Log cabin w/ open concept
• Stacked rock fireplace • Hot tub
• Loft bedroom with a full bath & sitting area
• Lower-level suite w/ kitchen and bath
MLS10453851 • $628,000
Penny Ramey 706-490-1610
6750 HWY 53 Suite 101 • Braselton
• High-profit family-owned boutique package store business for sale
Barndominium just completed! Here’s a place with lots of flexibility. Start with this modern 867+/square foot, 1 bedroom, 1 bath living area attached to a 915 square foot, 2 bay shop area for full-time or second home occupancy, and still have room on the small mountain top to build the main dwelling at some point in the future. The bay area has room for boat, RV and those big toys and there’s a loft area for storage. The living area has resilient laminate floors, a beautiful kitchen with solid surface countertops, range oven, hood, refrigerator, dishwasher and microwave.
A fireplace chase has been installed to allow owner to install a wood-burning fireplace or gas logs (not included). The bardominium has a 2 bedroom septic system and the knoll top has completed a soil study for the site a future home. This location is convenient to schools, recreation department, Lakemont, Lake Rabun, Tallulah Gorge and Tallulah Lake. Seller is offering $2000 contribution to Buyer’s Closing Costs. MLS 10293098 • $334,000 • Scott Poss 706-490-2305
